Peyton Manning advised Colts to draft Andrew Luck
By Mike Dyce
The Denver Broncos are headed to Indianapolis to take on Peyton Manning’s former team the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts were the only team that Manning had ever played for and he had just signed a contract extension in July of 2011 for five more years. Unfortunately neck surgeries forced Manning to sit out the entire season.
Without Manning, the Colts went 2-14, earning the No. 1 overall draft pick. Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck entered the draft that year and was considered to be one of the best quarterback prospects in years, a clear-cut number one quarterback.
The Colts were left with a tough decision, but Manning apparently made it a lot easier on the Colts and advised them to take Luck.
“[Manning] said, ‘You’ve got to take Andrew,'” Colts owner Jim Irsay told USA Today Sports. “‘You have to. You’re crazy if you don’t.'”
It seems to have worked out for both parties. The Broncos with Peyton are undefeated and the Colts went 11-5 in 2012 with Luck, and are off to another great start this year.
“I think it’s perfect,” Irsay told USA Today Sports. “What’s happened is what Peyton and I hoped would happen. The desire was for him to get well and get to a team that has a chance to win another Super Bowl before his career ended.
“And our desire was to be able to transition to Andrew. To be so good so soon is stunning.”
That is some incredible loyalty to an organization and class on Peyton’s part.